When is moi season in Hawaii?

Open September – May; CLOSED the entire months of June, July + August statewide to protect the summer spawning aggregation (HAR §13-95-23). Those are the 2026 Hawaii dates; always confirm against Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.

What is the Hawaii bag limit for moi?

The Hawaii daily bag limit for moi is 15 / day, September – May (HAR §13-95-23); no take, possession, or sale of moi during the June – August closure; commercial-marine dealers exempt with receipts. The possession limit is 15 (September – May); none during the June – August closure. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size moi can you keep in Hawaii?

The Hawaii size rule for moi is 11 in minimum length (HAR §13-95-23). Trophy rule: Trophy moi 8-10+ lb come from Kauaʻi + Oʻahu surf-zone shorelines; HI state record 10 lb 4 oz (Buffy Tabayoyon, near Wailua, Kauaʻi, May 2 2008).

Do you need a license to fish for moi in Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaii requires a valid fishing license to fish for moi, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Hawaii license — compare resident and non-resident Hawaii fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for moi in Hawaii?

Yes. In Hawaii, moi fishing carries these gear rules: Shoreline whipping + dunking + light surfcast with shrimp / crab / cut bait standard; CLOSED all of June, July + August statewide — no take, possession, or sale of moi during the closure (HAR §13-95-23); 11 in minimum size; 15 / day September – May (a separate limit from the 20-fish ulua bag — moi is not part of any combined cap); NO recreational marine licence required (Hawaiʻi-only open-access model); MLCD waters (Hanauma Bay, Molokini, Kealakekua, Pupukea, Honolua-Mokuleʻia, Manele-Hulopoʻe, Lapakahi, Old Kona Airport, Waiʻōpae) closed to all marine-life take including moi.

Do specific Hawaii waters have different moi rules?

Yes. 3 named Hawaii waters carry rules that override the statewide moi regulation, including Kāneʻohe Bay, Maunalua Bay, Hilo Bay. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Hawaii Moi (Pacific threadfin) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Polydactylus sexfilis

Last updated June 3, 2026

Moi — the Pacific threadfin (Polydactylus sexfilis) — is among the most culturally significant fish in Hawaiʻi: in ancient times moi was a kapu (forbidden) fish reserved for the aliʻi (chiefs + royalty), and it remains a prized table fish today, both wild-caught and as Hawaiʻi's signature aquaculture species (raised in open-ocean cages off Oʻahu). Moi live in the turbulent, sandy nearshore surf zone and shoreline flats of all main islands, where they are caught by shoreline whipping + dunking + light surfcast with shrimp, crab, and cut bait. Unlike most Hawaiʻi marine species — which are open-access with no closed season — moi carries one of the State's few genuine recreational restrictions under HAR §13-95-23: an 11-in minimum length, a 15-fish daily bag from September through May, and a full CLOSED SEASON across the entire months of June, July, and August (no take, possession, or sale, protecting the summer spawning aggregation). NO recreational marine licence is required. Hawaiʻi state-record moi 10 lb 4 oz (Buffy Tabayoyon, May 2 2008, Marine Camp near Wailua, Kauaʻi, in about 30 ft of water).

Get change alerts

Watch Hawaii Moi (Pacific threadfin) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

Season

Open September – May; CLOSED the entire months of June, July + August statewide to protect the summer spawning aggregation (HAR §13-95-23).

Jan 1 – May 31Statewide marine waters
Open; the season closes June 1 for the summer spawning aggregation
Sep 1 – Dec 31Statewide marine waters
Reopens September 1 after the June 1 – August 31 closure

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 15 / day, September – May (HAR §13-95-23); no take, possession, or sale of moi during the June – August closure; commercial-marine dealers exempt with receipts
Possession: 15 (September – May); none during the June – August closure

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 11 in minimum length (HAR §13-95-23)
Trophy rule: Trophy moi 8-10+ lb come from Kauaʻi + Oʻahu surf-zone shorelines; HI state record 10 lb 4 oz (Buffy Tabayoyon, near Wailua, Kauaʻi, May 2 2008)

Gear restrictions

Shoreline whipping + dunking + light surfcast with shrimp / crab / cut bait standard
CLOSED all of June, July + August statewide — no take, possession, or sale of moi during the closure (HAR §13-95-23)
11 in minimum size; 15 / day September – May (a separate limit from the 20-fish ulua bag — moi is not part of any combined cap)
NO recreational marine licence required (Hawaiʻi-only open-access model)
MLCD waters (Hanauma Bay, Molokini, Kealakekua, Pupukea, Honolua-Mokuleʻia, Manele-Hulopoʻe, Lapakahi, Old Kona Airport, Waiʻōpae) closed to all marine-life take including moi

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Hawaii waters:

Kāneʻohe Bay
11 in min, 15 / day; CLOSED Jun 1 – Aug 31; windward sandy-flat + surf-zone moi
Maunalua Bay
11 in min, 15 / day; CLOSED Jun 1 – Aug 31; Oʻahu south-shore surf + sand-flat moi
Hilo Bay
11 in min, 15 / day; CLOSED Jun 1 – Aug 31; Big Island east-windward surf + river-mouth moi

Official source

Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) publishes the authoritative 2026 Hawaiifishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

The moi rules on this page are sourced from Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)'s official moi regulation page.

Visit official Hawaii fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Moi closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Hawaii trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is moi season in Hawaii?: Open September – May; CLOSED the entire months of June, July + August statewide to protect the summer spawning aggregation (HAR §13-95-23). Those are the 2026 Hawaii dates; always confirm against Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the Hawaii bag limit for moi?: The Hawaii daily bag limit for moi is 15 / day, September – May (HAR §13-95-23); no take, possession, or sale of moi during the June – August closure; commercial-marine dealers exempt with receipts. The possession limit is 15 (September – May); none during the June – August closure. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size moi can you keep in Hawaii?: The Hawaii size rule for moi is 11 in minimum length (HAR §13-95-23). Trophy rule: Trophy moi 8-10+ lb come from Kauaʻi + Oʻahu surf-zone shorelines; HI state record 10 lb 4 oz (Buffy Tabayoyon, near Wailua, Kauaʻi, May 2 2008).
Do you need a license to fish for moi in Hawaii?: Yes. Hawaii requires a valid fishing license to fish for moi, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Hawaii license — compare resident and non-resident Hawaii fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for moi in Hawaii?: Yes. In Hawaii, moi fishing carries these gear rules: Shoreline whipping + dunking + light surfcast with shrimp / crab / cut bait standard; CLOSED all of June, July + August statewide — no take, possession, or sale of moi during the closure (HAR §13-95-23); 11 in minimum size; 15 / day September – May (a separate limit from the 20-fish ulua bag — moi is not part of any combined cap); NO recreational marine licence required (Hawaiʻi-only open-access model); MLCD waters (Hanauma Bay, Molokini, Kealakekua, Pupukea, Honolua-Mokuleʻia, Manele-Hulopoʻe, Lapakahi, Old Kona Airport, Waiʻōpae) closed to all marine-life take including moi.
Do specific Hawaii waters have different moi rules?: Yes. 3 named Hawaii waters carry rules that override the statewide moi regulation, including Kāneʻohe Bay, Maunalua Bay, Hilo Bay. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

← Back to Hawaii regulations overview